City of Charlottetown launches exhibit on energy use, innovation

The Guardian

Published: Feb 14 at 12:45 a.m.

Updated: Feb 20 at 12:30 p.m.

Coun. Greg Rivard, chairman of the Planning and Heritage Committee, models a Canadian National Railway trainman’s hat and holds an antique kerosene lamp, while Natalie Munn, heritage researcher and collections co-ordinator, holds an image depicting an early streetlight on Grafton Street in front of Queen Square. These are a few of the items in “Heat, Lights and the Devil Wagon: A History of Energy and Innovation in Charlottetown”. - Submitted

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The City of Charlottetown Planning and Heritage Department has created an exhibit in recognition of the city’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The exhibit, entitled “Heat, Lights and the Devil Wagon: A History of Energy and Innovation in Charlottetown”, outlines the city’s energy and innovation milestones and features historic photos from the City’s Archival Collection and artifacts donated by the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation Collection.

All are welcome to come and view the exhibit in the storefront windows the Planning and Heritage Department at 233 Queen St. The exhibit runs until March 26.

All exhibits will also be posted online at https://charlottetownstories.wordpress.com/

The display takes viewers back to a time when whale oil lamps were used to navigate up a dark, muddy Queen Street because there were no streetlights to light the way. The exhibit highlights the time period when the public had to walk, sail or hitch up their favourite horse in order to travel to a neighbouring community instead of jumping into a car. These situations were the norm not that long ago.

Energy uses and innovation have changed the way humans are able to live, from a harsh reality, to a relatively easy existence. Slowly, these conveniences have been negatively impacting the environment. However, the history of innovation shows that people have been adapting to new ways of doing things for many years and it is possible to change.

The heritage staff is pleased that individuals donated images and artifacts to make the department’s exhibits possible. These donations allow the history of the city to be shared with the public.

For more information on donating photos or allowing the City’s Heritage staff to scan images, please contact the Planning and Heritage Department at 902-629-4051 or email:nmunn@charlottetown.ca.